And the award goes to... | by Pat
As the 2005 season rapidly approaches, the various college football award organizations are releasing their initial lists of award nominees. Granted these lists will change with plenty of new names showing up as the season is under way, but it's a decent way to get a look at who are considered some of the better players in college football. Here's a quick recap on the Irish players who are included on the inaugural nominee lists, as well as those nominees who will face off against the Irish this year.
Maxwell Award - College Player of the Year Award
Notre Dame Nominees
Brady Quinn
Opponent Nominees
Tyler Palko - QB, Pitt
Steve Breaston - WR, Michigan
Michael Hart -RB, Michigan
Chad Henne - QB, Michigan
Drew Stanton - QB, Michigan State
Reggie Bush -RB, USC
Matt Leinart - QB, USC
Dwayne Jarrett - WR, USC
Steve Smith - WR,USC
LenDale White -RB, USC
Gerald Riggs, Jr. - RB, Tennessee
Damien Rhodes - RB, Syracuse
Davey O'Brien Award - presented to the nation's best quarterback
Notre Dame Nominees
no one
Opponent Nominees
Tyler Palko - Pittsburgh
Chad Henne - Michigan
Drew Stanton - Michigan State
Matt Leinart - USC
John Beck - BYU
Erik Ainge -Tennessee
Doak Walker Award - presented to the nation's best running back
Notre Dame Nominees
no one
Opponent Nominees
Mike Hart - Michigan
Jerod Void - Purdue
Reggie Bush - USC
LenDale White - USC
Curtis Brown - BYU
Damien Rhodes - Syracuse
Biletnikoff Award - presented to the nation's best wide receiver
Notre Dame Nominees
no one
Opponent Nominees
Greg Lee - Pittsburgh
Jason Avant - Michigan
Steve Breaston - Michigan
Dwayne Jarrett - USC
Steve Smith - USC
Todd Watkins - BYU
Robert Meachem - Tennessee
John Mackey Award - presented to the nation's top tight end
Notre Dame Nominees
Anthony Fasano
Opponent Nominees
Erik Gill -Pittsburgh
Tim Massaquoi -Michigan
Dominique Byrd - USC
Daniel Coats -BYU
Bednarik Award - college football defensive player of the year
Notre Dame Nominees
no one
Opponent Nominees
H.B. Blades - LB, Pitt
Gabe Watson - DL, Michigan
Darnell Bing - DB, USC
Jason Allen - DB, Tennessee
Omar Gaither - LB, Tennessee
James Wyche - DE, Syracuse
Bronko Nagurski Trophy - presented to the best defensive player in college football
Notre Dame Nominees
no one
Opponent Nominees
H. B. Blades - LB, Pittsburgh
Gabe Watson - DT, Michigan
Ray Edwards - DE, Purdue
Darnell Bing - DB, USC
Cameron Jensen - LB, BYU
Jesse Mahelona - DT, Tennessee
Jason Allen - DB, Tennessee
Jeremy Chase - DE, Navy
Jon Alston - LB, Stanford
Dick Butkus Award - presented to the nation's top linebacker
Notre Dame Nominees
Brandon Hoyte
Opponent Nominees
H.B. Blades - Pittsburgh
LaMarr Woodley - Michigan
Joe Lobendahn - Washington
George Hall - Purdue
Dallas Sartz - USC
Cameron Jensen - BYU
Omar Gaither - Tennessee
Kelvin Simon - Tennessee
Kelvin Smith - Syracuse
Jon Alston - Stanford
Jim Thorpe Award - presented to the nation's best defensive back
Notre Dame Nominees
Opponent Nominees
Bernard Pollard - Purdue
Darnell Bing - USC
Jason Allen - Tennessee
Anthony Smith - Syracuse
Lombardi Award - presented to the best college lineman (offense or defense)
Notre Dame Nominees
no one
Opponent Nominees
H.B. Blades - LB, Pittsburgh
Matt Lentz - OG, Michigan
Tim Massaquoi - TE, Michigan
Jesse Mahelona - DT, Tennessee
Adam Stenavich OL, Michigan
Gabe Watson - DL, Michigan
Outland Trophy - presented to the best lineman in college football (offense or defense)
Notre Dame Nominees
no one
Opponent Nominees
Gabe Watson, DT, Michigan
Matt Lentz, G, Michigan
Manase Hopoi, DT, Washington
Jake Kuresa, OL, BYU
Jesse Mahelona, DT, Tennessee
Ted Hendricks Award - presented to the nation's top defensive end
Notre Dame Nominees
no one
Opponent Nominees
Ray Edwards - Purdue
Pierre Woods - Michigan
Lawrence Jackson - USC
Frostee Rucker - USC
Manaia Brown - BYU
Parys Haralson - Tennessee
Rimington Trophy - presented to the nation's best center
Notre Dame Nominees
no one
Opponent Nominees
Chris Morris - Michigan State
Brad Vanneman - Washington
Lance Reynolds - BYU
Ryan Kalil - USC
Lou Groza Award - given to the nation's best kicker
Notre Dame Nominees
D.J. Fitzpatrick
Opponent Nominees
Garrett Rivas - Michigan
Josh Cummings - Pitt
Ben Jones - Purdue
James Wilhoit - Tennessee
Ray Guy Award - presented to the nation's best punter
This award doesn't name its nominees until after the season is underway. It's a safe bet to say that D.J. Fitzpatrick will be nominated. As for opponents, USC's Tom Malone and Michigan State's were semi-finalists a year ago so they should be considered among those who will be nominated. There is a good chance that Pitt's punter Adam Graessle will be named as well.
